Ali Wallace is the current Quaker representative on the World Day of Prayer committee for England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Ali tells us about this inclusive and inspiring event hosted in many churches around the country and worldwide, and why it’s worth attending.

I’m happy to be your Quaker appointed representative on the joyful, wonderful and inspiring World Day of Prayer Committee for England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Each year, the WDP service is created by the women in a different country – in 2024 it was Palestine, last year it was Cook Islands, and this year we are hearing from Nigeria. 2027 will be the centenary year! The service features songs, prayers and stories from the focus country, to help us feel connected across the world. I try to immerse myself in learning as much as I can about the country featured, because it’s an interactive process. I get the most from the WDP services when I get really involved. This year I’ll be wearing Nigerian dress and headscarf, and as part of the service, I’ll be reading the words of a Nigerian woman.

While it’s great to share reflections like this from across Britain Yearly Meeting, we would love to have more reflections from Central England Friends. These could be reflections on events you have held, aspects of spirituality, or looking at Quaker history, or another topic you are drawn to. Send your articles, or get in touch to find out more at website@ceaqm.org.uk

Photo: Femi Sowoolu, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons